7 Steps to Becoming an Artisan (Part 2)


Step 2: General or Vocational or Fundamental Knowledge Learning

Although artisan occupations are primarily focused on hand skills and practical ability, they are supported by a substantial amount of general or vocational or fundamental knowledge learnt through the basic schooling system or at a vocational college. To ensure effective throughput and success rates within occupational learning, strong fundamental knowledge is required of subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Drawing and the Technical Language used in the technical working environment.

This fundamental knowledge will prepare the learners for effective learning and mastering of the three occupational learning components which forms part of artisan trade training, occupational knowledge, practical and workplace training. The more generic fundamental knowledge is delivered at Academic or Focus Schools as well as at Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges. At present there are numerous options being utilized for this generic, vocational, fundamental knowledge including the National Senior Certificate (Matric) at traditional learning Academic or Focus Schools, as well as the more technical programmes such as the National Technical Education Certificate (NATED) or National Vocational Certificate (NCV) at public FET Colleges. More recently a National Adult Senior Certificate (NASCA) has also been released for public comment that offers a further option for this generic, fundamental knowledge.

At present there is a considerable amount of work in progress with all stakeholders to identify what is the best possible national programme that will allow learners to be best prepared for all the occupations that have been identified by the National Artisan Moderation Body of the Department of Higher Education and Training as artisan trades. The outcomes of this process will continually be communicated to all stakeholders, in particular the National Career Advisory Services in order for young people (and parents in particular) to make informed choices when investing in their career development.

NEXT: Step 3: Learner Agreement Registration and Contracting